The ‘Interpreting Stratigraphy’
group, the brainchild of Kate Steane, came together in 1992 to organise
a dynamic series of conferences characterised by informal presentation
and lively debate. Our initial interest lay with site recording systems
and data analysis, focussing on:

context/soil deposit descriptions

definition of features and interfaces
or other truncations

storage of stratigraphic data
in Harris matrices and other forms

data manipulation during post-excavation,
phasing work

integration of stratigraphic
and finds work to tackle residuality and establish dated chronologies

However, subsequently, related
topics have come equally to the fore:

site formation processes and
micromorphology

site reconnaissance and evaluation

standing building and burial
recording

archival issues and dissemination
mechanisms

The diversity of contributions
to our meetings reflects, we hope, the increasing collaboration between
stratigraphers and other specialists which a holistic approach to site
interpretation and publication demands. By disseminating expertise and
experience in all these spheres, we hope to encourage the innovation, development
and wider application of archaeological methods.